"red-haired, ruddy complexion"
Origin: Old Scottish / Old English
Language: English
Reid
Pronunciation: [ r-EED ]
Does Reid flow with your last name?
A crisp Scottish surname meaning 'red' — bold, brief, and beautiful
Scottish
American
English
Australian
Modern
Strong
Minimalist
Unique
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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The Story of Reid
Reid is a Scottish and English surname derived from the Old English and Old Scottish word 'read' or 'reid,' meaning red — originally a nickname for someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion. The name shares its root with the Old English 'read' (red), which also gives us the color word red itself. As a given name, Reid has been used primarily for boys but has increasingly crossed over to girls, joining names like Quinn, Blake, and Logan in the gender-neutral column.
Reid has been rising steadily as a girl's name since the 2000s, part of the broader trend of strong, short, surname-style names for girls. Parents are drawn to its crisp one-syllable sound, its gender neutrality, and its Scottish heritage. It charts in the top 500 for girls in the US as of the early 2020s, while also remaining popular for boys.
Reid belongs to a family of color-based surnames — Reed, Reid, Russell, and Russet all derive from words for redness. In Scottish culture, these red-hair names were common because red hair is far more prevalent in Scotland (13% of the population) than almost anywhere else in the world. Using Reid honors this Celtic heritage.
Historical Record
Reid first appeared in US Social Security records in 1962.
Over 958 babies have been named Reid in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Reid is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #4,508 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Scotland has the highest proportion of natural redheads in the world, making red-hair surnames like Reid particularly common there
- Reid shares the same Old English root 'read' (red) with the modern English color word 'red'
- Reid became a top-400 girl's name in the US for the first time around 2015
Reid in Other Languages
French
Reid
German
Reid
English
Reid
Spanish
Reid
Scottish
Reid
Popularity Over Time
#4,508
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #4,508
- Total SSA Count
- 31
- Cultural Origins
- Scottish American English Australian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Reid
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Reid is also used as a boy name, ranked #300.
View Reid as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Scottish)
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Hebrew origin
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Scottish Gaelic origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Reid
What does the name Reid mean?
"red-haired, ruddy complexion" (from Old Scottish / Old English). Reid is a Scottish and English surname derived from the Old English and Old Scottish word 'read' or 'reid,' meaning red — originally a nickname for someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion. The name shares its root with the Old English 'read' (red), which also gives us the color word red itself. As a given name, Reid has been used primarily for boys but has increasingly crossed over to girls, joining names like Quinn, Blake, and Logan in the gender-neutral column.
What is the origin of the name Reid?
Reid has Old Scottish / Old English, Scottish, American, English, and Australian origins. In Old Scottish / Old English, it means "red-haired, ruddy complexion".
Is Reid a boy or girl name?
Reid is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #4508. As a boy name, it is ranked #300. Reid is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Reid?
Reid is pronounced r-EED.
How popular is the name Reid?
Reid is currently ranked #4508 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Reid?
Popular middle name pairings include Reid Grace, Reid Claire, Reid Anne, Reid Marie, Reid Elizabeth, Reid Jo, and Reid Lynn.
What are good sibling names for Reid?
Names that pair well with Reid as siblings include Quinn, Blake, Shea, Sloane, Sage, Drew, and Reeve.
How many syllables does Reid have?
Reid has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Reid a common or rare name?
Reid is an uncommon name, ranked #4508 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Reid?
About the Name Reid
Reid is a girl name with Scottish, American, English, and Australian origins . The name means "red-haired, ruddy complexion" in Old Scottish / Old English .
Is Reid a boy or girl name? Reid is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #4,508 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #300. Reid is more commonly used as a boy name.
Reid is currently ranked #4,508 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Reid has 1 syllable and is pronounced r-EED, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Reid include Reign, Reina, Reilly, Rei . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis